4 - The confrontation

The rain poured down in torrents, like the gods above could feel Hazel’s anger, it drenched her completely as she stood there outside the Rossi mansion with nowhere to go. How could Lucas Rossi be so cruel? She would never dream of marrying a man like him, ever!

Hazel did not turn around to leave, she stayed there and let the rain continue to shower her.

Her clothes stuck to her like a second skin, and waves of cold ran down her spine as she shivered, long brown hair matted unto her face. Her breathing shortened and she begun to quiver slowly, cursing herself for not bringing an umbrella.

Give up, she thought to herself, that man is a psycho, he isn’t sending anyone to save you.

She didn’t listen to herself though, even as the clouds grew dark and evening approached, it hadn’t stopped raining. And still, Hazel stood there, cold, shivering and drenched. It only took a few more minutes for her to fall her to knees, passing out on the cold concrete floor.

Luca Rossi had always been a man of very few words. He never really had to say anything, it was easy to pass his message to his subjects by a few stern glares from his dark grey eyes. Yet, as he stared at the dark haired girl in his bed, for once he felt he had a lot to say. Anger flooded through him, seeping through his very veins. He had never encountered a small woman this defiant, even to the point of risking her own life.

His nose flared with each breath of air. So, she stood in the rain all night because she didn’t want to marry him?? Was he that repulsing? Did she not consider herself lucky, if not extremely lucky to be the object of interest of a wealthy young man such as himself?

He walked over to the edge of the bed, standing by her as she watched her sleep, her body completely covered under the thick, silky duvets. Her chest heaved as she breathed softly under the covers, he had ensured the heater stayed on to warm her up from all the cold that seeped through her the night before. Arms crossed, he observed her for a few more moments. The flaring of her small nose with each breath she took, the slight furrow of her brows like she was having a troubled dream, and how she drew the warm duvet further up her body and turned in her sleep with a soft snore, still asleep. With a small intake of air, Lucas gave one more glance at her before leaving the room.

Hazel woke with a small yawn and a prolonged stretch, eyes still closed, she contemplated getting out of bed. She had never been in sheets this comfy before, the warm duvet felt like a mini heaven of its own, soft against her skin. Her eyes fluttered open lightly to observe her surroundings, but they only widened with the cold realization that she wasn’t in her room at all. She gasped, seating up immediately.

Where was she? Her small room in her small apartment was definitely not this big at all, the sheets weren’t a deep royal blue color, neither did such a fancy chandelier hang high up above her head. The huge king-sized bed she found herself in would barely even fit in her tiny apartment! She couldn’t be inside the Rossi mansion could she? The thought of that alone had her springing out of bed very quickly, she threw the warm, cozy sheets off her body, sliding out of the bed.

Hazel stared down at the unfamiliar pair of clothes on herself… Where are my clothes?? She panicked, holding the oversized grey shirt in her hands. Panic seeped through her very quickly; someone changed her clothes, what else could they have done to her?

Spotting the large wooden door by the room, she ran to it, jerking it open forcefully like she expected it to be locked. But thankfully, it wasn’t.

A wide, empty passage stared at her, a long trail of shiny polished tiles and high walls. Hazel stared around the grand passage frantically, unsure which way to go. There was no need telling that this mansion was a huge one, and wandering off could very well get her lost.

“You’re awake.”

Hazel jumped at the sound of the voice, turning to her right. A young lady, only but a few years older than her approached her, her hair drawn back in tight pony tail and what seemed to be a dark brown uniform, laying below her white apron.

“Where…Where am I?” Hazel asked cautiously as she stopped before her.

The maid stared at her with a questionable look, a brow partly raised. “You’re in Mr. Lucas’ mansion.”

A confused frown appeared upon her features. “He let me in?”

The maid gave her a curt nod. “He had you carried in, you passed out in the rain.” She stared at her with a small frown as if she too couldn’t believe Mr. Rossi would do such a thing.

“He did?” She whispered in disbelief.

She nodded in affirmation. “Indeed he did, you will be dead by now if not the master’s kindness.”

“Kindness?” Hazel glared, if indeed Mr. Rossi was so kind at all, then why did her let her stay in the rain waiting to see him in the first place? Why did he suddenly ruin her life and her job by declaring a proposal to her? No, Lucas Rossi is no hero or kind man, he is a lunatic.

“Indeed..” She spat distastefully. “Where are my clothes?”

“Your clothes are in the dryer… you are in Mr. Rossi’s clothes.” The maid pointed out with a look of distaste.

“Who changed me?” Hazel asked, breath held. Curse her should it have been that arrogant bastard that changed her. Half human or half god, no one has the right to treat anyone like this.

“I did.” The maid answered through her teeth.

A sigh of relief almost escaped Hazel’s lips, at least it was a girl like herself that changed her.

“We had to, your clothes were wet and you would have only gotten pneumonia in them, if not stained the sheets.” The maid explained, muttering the last part.

Eyes closed, she took a deep intake of air to calm herself down. “I need to have a word with Mr. Rossi, where is he?”

“He is in his office and wishes not to be disturbed.” The maid explained, crossing her arms.

“Take me to him… please.” Hazel breathed.

The maid shook her head in defeat, “I cannot grant your request, I risk losing my job if I do so.”

Hazel did not falter, now she had her let her into the mansion, why did he still refuse to see her? What sort of man is he to put her through all these? “I will bear whatever consequences alone… just take me to him please.”

“He insists you have breakfast as soon as you wake.” The maid replied.

“I am not hungry.” Hazel shook her head in defiance, but that was very far from the truth, her empty stomach growled at the thought of food, her body itself felt weak and even a drop of water would truly bring her system some lost life.

“He says he would not see you, until you have been well fed. So if you truly want to see Mr. Rossi, you would follow me to the dining table where your food will be served.” She explained to her, with a tone of finality.

Her shoulders slacked and she gave in, perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to have some food. “If you insist.”

“He does.”

Hazel was led to a grand dining room, with carved wooden chairs that seemed specially made for royalty alone. A chandelier her size hung high above their heads, candlesticks held up by carved wooden structures stood at corners of the vast room but most shocking was the array of different dishes in front of her.

“All these…?” She asked in utter disbelief, her eyes wide. On the table were fruits like berries and grapes, pancake, waffles, bacon and eggs, a whole menu of breakfasts lay in front of her, no way in hell they expect she can have eve a quarter of these.

“Yes, he says you must be well fed and have these medications. He had a doctor come see you while you were passed out and he prescribed them for you.” She walked over, pulling out a chair for Hazel to sit on.

“He did?” Her brows raised, was she truly in that terrible of a condition to have him worry enough to call a doctor? She had merely fainted from standing for so long in such brutal weather, and it was all his fault anyway!

“Indeed he did, please make sure you eat, so you can have them without any side effects.”

She sat carefully on the table, glancing around the table cautiously. Carefully, she reached out, grabbing a plate and began in eating. She let out a soft groan at the taste of the meal. “These are delicious.” She said with her mouth full.

“I am sure the cook will be glad to hear that.” The maid replied curtly.

“Won’t you have some?” She extended her hand towards her, it had only been a few minutes yet they seemed to be somewhat bonding already.

She shook her head. “No, those are for you.”

“There is no way I finish these, even if I have been unfed for three days, I simply couldn’t. Please have some.” She felt sad for haven stressed the maid so far, it wasn’t her faukt she was in this dilemma afterall.

“No ma’am, I already had my share.” She declined.

“Okay.” Hazel sighed in defeat. “I am full; may I see Mr. Rossi now?”

“I will let him know.” The maid murmured in response, exiting the dining room.

She returned very shortly thereafter. “Mr. Rossi will see you now.”